Fallon Sherrock takes on Phil Taylor in our latest Darts From Home match this week, and ‘The Power’ appears to have an unlikely fan on his side – his opponent’s son Rory!
Sherrock plays Taylor in a best-of-seven game of soft tip darts from their respective homes, with the match filmed on mounted iPhones sent to, and set up by, both players. The match will be played remotely through an interactive Target Nexus dartboard, which will allow the pair to interact and see each other play.
The match will raise money for NHS charity Heroes, with Paddy Power donating £1,000 for every 180 hit and £200 for every first dart finish. The previous two Darts From Home matches raised more than £25,000 for charity.
Sherrock shot to overnight sporting superstardom in 2019, when she became the first female to win a match – and, subsequently, two matches – at the PDC World Championships.
But it seems that doesn’t earn ‘the Queen of the Palace’ top billing in her own household!
“When I told my son Rory I was playing Phil he kept singing the song ‘I’ve got the Power!’,” Sherrock told Paddy Power News. “I’m not sure if he’s a big fan of Phil, I think he’s just keen on the music!
“My family all play darts and Phil was the one we’d watch on TV and a big idol.”
The 16-time world champion has already played twice in our Darts From Home Series, losing to old foe Raymond van Barneveld before defeating back-to-back BDO World Champion Mikuru Suzuki last week.
Sherrock has come close to beating the man from Stoke in exhibition matches but is yet to get over the line – something she hopes to end soon.
“Even though he’s retired, he could still be the best in the world if he was still playing,” she said of Taylor. “He’s got all the experience and is a top-quality player. The fact I’ve got the privilege of playing him is amazing.
“I think if he wanted to do it, he could (still win a World Championship). He’s still got the game for it.
“I’ve got the ability to keep up with him, he’s just got the experience to keep on going.
“I get close every time I play Phil. I’ve not got over the line yet, but I’m determined to eventually. He’s just such a great player, and doesn’t ever give up.
“I keep getting close, but one day if I could get over the line that would be incredible. I’ve played him a few times in exhibitions. I always enjoy playing him, I’m so excited!”
Sherrock has had plenty of time to work on her game, with a kidney problem picked up back in 2014 meaning she’s been forced into isolation due to her ‘high risk’ status.
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“I haven’t properly been out since I went to the Isle of Man about a week before lockdown,” she said. “I’ve stayed in because I can’t really go out because I’m a high risk.
“(But) lockdown has given me more time to practice, I feel like my game is improving.
“I’m hitting big finishes more consistently now, who knows what my game is going to be like when this is finished? It’s scary to talk about!”
If it’s still going, there are probably odds on it at PaddyPower.com